Wire-3 Fitted For Wireless Box details

[Jordan Baker]

So I would say that those holes are infact for the terminal strips. It makes sense then that they are mounted to the framework and not the actual box. The way when setting up for a ground station everything stays in place on the frames.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

So I would say that those holes are infact for the terminal strips. It makes sense then that they are mounted to the framework and not the actual box. The way when setting up for a ground station everything stays in place on the frames.

So then the batteries would be in the bins immediately below? Two pairs on one side (if so, probably on the left to be near the C5 panel) or are there holes on either rail indicating one pair of batteries on the left and the other on the right? I'm a little reluctant to think the batteries would be enclosed in bins because of the gas they generate when being charged but perhaps I am wrong.

[Jordan Baker]

I'm thinking the batteries went on the floor in the space between the wheel well and the front wall. Facing the wireless table this would be to the left. And possibly two batteries to the right of table.

There is another bracket on the wireless table on the right side. It is a flat bar that goes front to back and has a long bolt with wing nut on it. It goes out horizontally. There is also a stopper plate on it. It appears like it may have a had some kind of cable reel on it. But I'm not sure if its original or added post army use. I'll post a picture shortly.

[Jordan Baker]

Here is the other mystery bracket.

[Jordan Baker]

Some more photos of the basic layout.

Another mystery is figuring out what the seat bases looked like. As you can see in the these two pictures the seats were mounted to the floor using three bolts. However these mounting points are outside of the normal CMP seat base. The manufactures part number is B340056
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There were two battery trays on the truck with the following manufactures description and part numbers.

Stand Batteries Assy, RH #C38272
Stand Batteries Assy, LH #C38273

As you can see there is a couple mounting holes on the floor. Highlighted via the red arrows. On the left side is a larger oval hole. This was for the power cable from the Chorehorse to come up to the C5 charging board. It is highlighted with the green arrow.

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[Jordan Baker]

Here is a shot showing the power cable in the conduit. The relative position of it would suggest it is coming up via the oval hole and then connecting to the C5 charging board.

In the second picture you can just make out the battery clamp posts with wing nuts. There is two posts visible under the tables pull out drawer and then just a single one visible to the right of the table.

[Barry Churcher]

Jordan a C15TA uses three mounting points similar to your box. The big difference would be the foot wells on the TA making it easier to sit. The mounting tabs are welded to the seat and you will notice the rear one isn't in the center because of the hold down strap. Not sure this helps but it's an idea.
cheers,
Barry

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Some more photos of the basic layout.

Another mystery is figuring out what the seat bases looked like. As you can see in the these two pictures the seats were mounted to the floor using three bolts. However these mounting points are outside of the normal CMP seat base. The manufactures part number is B340056

There were two battery trays on the truck with the following manufactures description and part numbers.

Stand Batteries Assy, RH #C38272
Stand Batteries Assy, LH #C38273

As you can see there is a couple mounting holes on the floor. Highlighted via the red arrows. On the left side is a larger oval hole. This was for the power cable from the Chorehorse to come up to the C5 charging board. It is highlighted with the green arrow.

Hmmm...

Are the 3-hole seat mountings the tubular variety as used in the Wire-5 truck? (See other thread in the Restoration forum.)

The tray under the table may well be intended for 4 x 6V 85AH batteries since the aerial base 'cage' on the roof is for Aerial Base No.1 which was used with Wireless Set No.11 and that used 4 x 6V 85AH batteries for the vehicle fit. The tray may have been left in place when a WS19 was fitted.

I think the long bolt sticking out of the RHS of the table frame is definitely a mounting for a drum of telephone cable. The rectangular plate probably goes against the table frame to space the drum away from the flat bar (and any irregularity of the weld) and keep any rolled edge of the drum from fouling it. What is the spindle diameter and available length of the bar? It might take Reel, Cable, No.2 as used with the early control units, or the rather later split drum (Reel, Cable, No.4?) used with assault cable No.2 and later with D10. (It's also possibly a much later addition to the table.)

Chris.

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Are the 3-hole seat mountings the tubular variety as used in the Wire-5 truck? (See other thread in the Restoration forum.)

I don't think so. I just looked at the tube mount used to raise the seats in the Wire-5 box. They use 4 bolts in a pattern approximately 4" (wide) x 11" (front-back of seat) for mounting to the floor.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I agree with Dave. Even if your mystery plate and holes are for aerial masts I'm certain the masts would be encased in some sleeve to prevent mud and moisture splattering all over them. The mast collars would not do well with grit in them, not to mention the Signal Corps credo of cleanliness and ready to operate in an instant components.

I see one mast on the right cab running board just behind the side window. The HUW has one there as well. The second HUW one is mounted horizontally in the top right inside of the rear wireless body where the sheet body metal curves to form the roof. That's exactly where the right side rifle clips are on the WIRE-3 body. Rifles and aerial masts are just about the same 'diameter'. So just wondering...are those rifle clips on the top right of the WIRE-3 real meant for rifles?

[David Dunlop]

Jordan. I think that WIRE 3 of Brian's was at Bill Gregg's Conference and I recall seeing an antenna stowed under one side of the box, or at the very bottom edge of one of the sides. Maybe there is a photo of it at the Conference in someone's files.

David

[Jordan Baker]

Here is something that is normally not seen to often as it is hidden away on the engine. A complete wireless suppression kit for a truck equipped with a wireless set.

Included in this is a cover for the spark plugs, distributor and the coil. The coil was also moved to just behind the top of the radiator. All and all this was a pretty complete and NOS set of parts.

[David Dunlop]

That’s a nice find, Jordan. I bought several NOS kits of these from Levy’s years ago. I still have the installation instructions somewhere and might have posted a copy of them on the forum a year or so back.

David